Never mind the quality, feel the width: Boro’s massive welcome win over Hull has given real substance to the recent eye-catching run.

The last six games have put vital points on the board, put a spring in the step of supporters and given the team a look of real substance.

And in a decisive December the next six could be just as important to the shape of the season.

Here’s how the landscape looks going into a season shaping six game sequence.

The last six: The story

After the Watford game there was a lot of gloom around. Boro had proved shot-shy and blunt and were mugged by a poor side and if took their record to four wins in five with just a draw at West Ham to cushion the blow of top flight reality.

And, looking at the daunting fixtures looming, sobered supporters were wondering where the next points would come from.

The next six games were Arsenal and Man City away either side of bogey side Bournemouth at home... then Chelsea. Then away at the reigning champions Leicester.

For some half-empty inclined fans it looked like a barren run with the next points coming in the do-or-die basement six pointer with Hull.

In fact Boro have enjoyed their most productive phase of the season so far and look like a team that are starting to click into place.

Read More

At home they have won two and lost one to make the Riverside record look far healthier. Before that they had taken just one point form four games, and that on the opening day with a draw against Stoke.

In those six games Boro have scored six goals, which is not the most prolific record around, but they have only failed to net at against Arsenal and Chelsea - two of only three teams with better defensive records (the other is Spurs.)

A now settled back five have kept three clean sheets and conceded just four goals - and only the one at City came from open play. Two of the others were penalties at Leicester while Chelsea scored from a corner.

The next six showdowns

Dec 11 (a) Southampton

Dec 14 (h) Liverpool

Dec 17 (h) Swansea

Dec 26 (a) Burnley

Dec 29 (a) Manchester Utd

Jan 2 (h) Leicester

poll loading

How many points will Boro get from the next six games?

0+ VOTES SO FAR

The last six fixtures looked tougher on paper with Boro away at two title chasers and the champions plus home to Chelsea as well as the two ‘must win’ games against rivals.

On paper this batch look “easier” - but will still be very testing and as the season wears on the stakes rise and the margin of error shrinks so the pressure is on to at least maintain the point-a-game safety curve.

Boro face three bottom-half six-pointers in this crucial run, at home to Swansea and Leicester and away at Burnley, so it presents a great chance to steal a march towards safety and hole some rivals - but also a massive risk of being clawed back if they slip up.

They also face title-challenging gegenpressers Liverpool and a tricky trip to Old Trafford heavy with Master/Apprentice sub-plots.

Roberto Firmino and Jurgen Klopp (Image: PA)

We should budget for winning the home games against Swansea and Leicester to keep on the golden curve as a minimum.

But Boro can pick up extra points along the way. Burnley will be a tense Boxing Day battle that will have a derby feel to it. A victory there will shift the survival stats markedly. Anything else is a bonus.

But that run starts on the south coast..

Where will the points come?

Southampton - The Saints are only two points ahead of Boro but they have an excellent home record. They have taken 12 of their 17 points at home and have only lost once.

Liverpool - Jurgen Klopp’s high-intensity side are in third place. They have won four and drawn two of their eight away games and scored 16 goals but Bournemouth showed they can be vulnerable to quick counters and they are suspect at the back.

Swansea - The rock-bottom Swans are deep in trouble and Boro will need to pile on the agony. The Welsh outfit have taken just four points away and their only win came on the opening day at Burnley. Since then they have taken just one point and shipped 15 goals in six games.

Burnley - A needle game with a lot riding on it. The Clarets are strong at home and have won four and drawn one of their eight games and taken an incredible 13 of their 14 points at Turf Moor. And they will be fired up for Boro.

Manchester United - United look uncomfortable as they adjust to the Mourinho methodology and while they are in sixth spot they are far from convincing. They have only lost once at home - to City - but have drawn four of the other six and fans are growing frustrated. It is all set up for Aitor to master his mentor.

Leicester - Limp Leicester have suffered a title hangover and terrible travel sickness. The champions have lost six out of seven on the road, picked up just one point and leaked 18 goals in seven games. Boro should have beaten them down there and can make sure in the return.